Ways to Give Back This Holiday Season

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Welcome friends! I am so glad to have you visiting today. This blog is filled with lots of ideas for a growing family. Sometimes I post affiliate links in blue should you purchase any of the products I highlight by clicking through the links, you will be helping me to continue to create fantastic posts you can read my disclosure policy here.

This post was sponsored by Everywhere Agency; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

It seems like in this day and age so many people are more concerned about what gifts that they are getting that they appear to forget the old saying, ” It is better to give than to receive.” My dad, who most of you know we lost this past January was a firm believer of this saying. Even during the last year of his life, he was still giving back as cancer was ravaging his body. He only stopped when his body would not allow any more.

My dad with his good friend David, sporting their Marine Corps League Uniform collecting donations for the Salvation Army the year before he died.

He left some pretty big shoes to fill, but I decided that this was one part of his legacy that I wanted to live on, so my family and I are always on the lookout for ways to give back. This holiday season so far has not been an easy one for me as the dreaded bronchitis has entered our house much too early and I have been sick since our trip to Carowinds in October and still can’t say a full sentence without having a coughing fit. But just because I am housebound doesn’t mean that I can’t still give back there are ways to give back that doesn’t require you to volunteer your time away from home. Here are just a few ways that you can give back this holiday season.

Check with your local animal shelter. Call and ask what they are in need of and purchase items for them. You can choose to send someone out to make the purchases; you can make them yourself, or if you love to shop online and have Amazon Prime for free shipping, then you can do that as well. I know when we had our three cats spayed through the SNAPNC program they had a wish list of items. And I went shopping and picked up a few things for them.

Take a few minutes every day to write a few Christmas cards to soldiers who are deployed and away from their families this holiday season. It might take a few moments of your time but think of the soldier’s smile when they get their card. That is priceless.

Look around and adopt a family for Christmas. This is one thing that my family hasn’t done, but I know that it will be something we are looking into for the future.

Shop sales and clearance racks all throughout the year for donations to the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. This is a program that is near and dear to our hearts as my dad was a retired Marine Master Sergeant. One year my daughter, Maddie and my Dad coordinated with a local inner city school for the kids pick out one toy. Maddie said the joy on all of their faces were totally priceless. One kid even remarked they had been waiting for this toy their whole life.

Donate to a local pregnancy center. Baby items go on clearance all the time. So why not pick up a onesie or a pack of diapers when you have a little extra money, giving back feels so good.

Collect items like we did this year. Food banks are always in need of donations and even old gently used bras can be reused.

Another good thing about giving back is that when you use your debit card cash back program not only are you giving back, but you are also getting cash back. This holiday season my Regions Bank Card has been getting a workout. Plus I love that it loads coupons to stores I shop automatically. Not a member of Regions, checks to see if your bank has a cash back rewards program. Not only have I been using it to give back to the community but I have also been using it to shop online for Christmas presents for my family as well. Plus a few things for the blogging business and in my journey to be a healthier me.

So tell me what have you used you Cash back rewards program for this year? Have you used it for yourself, for others or to give back to the community?

giving back is always important but definitely during the holidays it becomes harder for people who don’t have much. I’ve already started to collect toys in my garage for our local radio station’s “Baby DJ” toy collection for the holidays! We have 11 toys now but I’m hoping to get more before we take everything down to donate!Jennifer recently posted…What Would You Do If You Could Use the Force?

I love to give back whenever we have extra money to spare. I don’t have a Regions Bank Card, but I like the idea of getting a cash back when you use it, The loaded coupons sound great as well.Dogvills recently posted…Lagotto Romagnolo vs. Portuguese Water Dog

I love to give back whenever we have extra money to spare. I don’t have a Regions Bank Card, but I like the idea of getting a cash back when you use it, The loaded coupons sound great as well.Dogvills recently posted…Lagotto Romagnolo vs. Portuguese Water Dog

Great ideas! Toys for Tots and Sub for Santa are two of my favorite places to donate. We are also putting together Christmas for a family and while the circumstances are sad the project itself is something we are all excited about and happy to do.

It’s been another great blog party weekend with you at the #HomeMattersParty.Alayna @AlaynasCreations recently posted…Elf Antics 2015 – Week 1

Great suggestions! I didn’t even think about getting toys that way to donate! Thanks for sharing these suggestions – I’ll be putting some to use!Carmy recently posted…Foodie Friday: Foodventure Loaded Pierogi

These are some wonderful ideas. I love giving back, especially during the holidays. I’m going to check out my local shelter and see what I can do to help. I absolutely love animals and would love to help them out!

I think giving back to the community should be as often as we can, not only during the holidays. There are many ways we can reach out and share our blessings, whether it be in cash, in kind or just simply volunteering our time.Annemarie LeBlanc recently posted…Family-Friendly Airports and Airlines

While I hate donating used clothing, my daughter has so many “gently used, almost new stuff” that I had to donate quite a lot this year. We also give to our local food pantry.Amanda || Growing Up Madison recently posted…Introducing the Homeless Collection by Kanye West